A-K Valley athletes of the week: Freeport’s Kira Schrecongost; Fox Chapel’s Owen Howell

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 4:02 PM

Previous Next

Kira Schrecongost

School: Freeport

Class: Senior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: Schrecongost took gold in the 100-yard butterfly in 54.85 seconds, setting a school record at the WPIAL Class 2A championships this week. The win gave her a title in the event three out of her four years. She was also a part of the 200 medley relay team that placed second in 1:46.82 and the 400 free relay that was third in 3:36.22. She will compete at the PIAA championship meet later this month.

How were you feeling going into the WPIAL championships?

This has been like a whole new swimming season for me. We’ve been able to practice in a pool as a team for the first time. I’ve been trying to enjoy the season overall, and, heading into the championship season, I’ve never been more confident in what I’ve been able to do. I was excited for what was to come.

What’s it like to bring home gold in the same event three out of four years?

I was so happy. I’ve been wanting to go a 54 in my 100 fly for so long. I was crying after. It was a good swim.

How does it feel to set a school record in the event with a 54.85?

It was cool. I was so happy.

How beneficial was it for you to practice your relays, and how did that help the relays’ performances?

It gave us the opportunity to see each other swim in a relay, where we haven’t been able to in the past. We knew what to expect from each other.

How electric was that finish in the 200 medley relay?

We were so happy with that finish. We know we have so much more to give, and, hopefully, that comes forward at states.

What was the girls’ reaction to placing fourth in this year’s team competition?

For a school that doesn’t have a pool, we were so excited. It was so amazing. We had fewer swimmers than the other schools that finished in the top three, and I thought that was really special.

How did you do in the 200 IM?

I did really well. I placed second, and I set a new best time (2:06.44) and broke my own record.

What are you hoping to do during the state meet March 12-15?

States is so different. I want to bring it as much as I did at WPIALs, knowing it’s my last high school meet. It means a lot more.

How did you do last year?

I did really well. Both our relays made podium, I placed seventh in the 200 IM and I was the state runner-up in the 100 fly.

How do you stay loose and relaxed at the bigger meets?

It depends on the atmosphere I’m in. I don’t let nerves get the best of me in those types of events, especially when my events are within 10 minutes of each other.

What were these last two years like, being able to swim with your sister?

It was so special. Kasey is probably one of my biggest supporters. I know she’s going to miss me the next two years. I think she had a lot of fun this year.

What’s the longest distance you have ever swam?

The longest event I ever did was the mile when I was younger. I did it once, and I was done.

What do you look forward to the most about the end of the swim season?

At the end of the high school season, I have back-to-back meets and a club meet as well. I will swim events I haven’t swam at all during the high school season. I want to end both my high school and club careers on a high note. I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

Favorite hobbies outside of swimming?

I love to do art projects, and I’m really big with that stuff for my school, and I love to read.

What’s the last book you read?

I can’t remember the name of the last book I finished, but I’m currently reading the “Hobbit.”

Favorite vacation spot?

Siesta Key. I love that the waves aren’t rough there. I love being in the sun.

Any pets?

I have a mini-golden doodle.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

My art class.

What are your future plans?

I am going to be swimming for Duquesne University and studying athletic training. I want to be an athletic trainer for a major sports team or university.

Owen Howell

School: Fox Chapel

Class: Senior

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame: Howell finished first in the boys 200-yard IM in 1:51.40 at the WPIAL Class 3A championships this week. He also earned a bronze medal in the 100 breaststroke in 55.95. Howell was also part of the 200 freestyle relay that placed fifth in 1:27.26 and the 400 free relay that was fourth in 3:09.59.

How were you feeling heading into the WPIAL championships?

This year was different for me than previous years. I was really calm. Of course, I wanted to win, but it didn’t feel like the weight of the world was on me. I was confident I would have good swims. I wasn’t over-stressed, and it paid off.

What went into the gold medal finish in the 200 IM?

I knew looking at the heat sheet that of the eight guys, out of the seven I raced, any of them could beat me on any given day. That was a really tough field with great competition. I knew that if I was able to hang on in the first 100 that I have a really strong back half and I could come back and win, and it worked

What were your emotions like after winning?

I was very excited. It was almost like when I won in the same event last year. It was a breakthrough swim, and I was really excited. This year was more of a confidence booster because I was able to win again, and it proved that I could be a great competitor and race hard.

How did you feel before the 100 breaststroke?

I was so excited for the 100 breast. Me and my teammate, Christian (Dantey), were seeded first and second, and we’ve been racing each other throughout our entire lives. I thought it would be cool if we had a 1-2 finish. It wasn’t guaranteed, but it was likely. We both swam great, but a swimmer form Latrobe got us by a coupe hundredths. We all raced hard, but he had a better race.

What do you say to those who say breaststroke is one of the harder strokes?

It’s a stroke where you can either do it, or you can’t. A lot of other strokes, there’s a lot of room to get a lot better. I don’t know what it is about the stroke, whether it’s the hips or the whole motion of the stroke. It comes naturally to some and not so to others. It’s been my favorite stroke since I was 10 years old.

What’s the key to a successful relay team?

Having trust in each other and wanting to win for each other. I always do better in a relay split than an individual split. We went beyond our best ties in both the 200 and 400 free relays and came away with school records.

What was the boys team’s reaction to placing fourth in the competition?

We were really happy, but we wanted third. We could have gotten third but just missed on a couple places here and there. But overall, we were all happy with our performances.

What are you hoping to do at the state meet on March 12-15?

I would love to get top three in my individual events and for our two relays to make it to the finals.

Did you get to states last year?

I’ve been to states every year.

How did you do?

Last year was pretty bad, to be honest. I added in my 200 IM, and I could have been in the top three easily but dropped to fifth, which was frustrating. I was having a rough year with my breaststroke, and I turned it around in the offseason and I feel like I’m doing a lot better.

With how much of a grind the season is, what do you look forward to the most about the end of the swim season?

I’m not looking forward to the end of it. It’s exciting to show what you’ve got at the end of season meets. After the season I will be swimming in college, so I’ll cross train more, so I’m excited to mix up my training.

Favorite hobbies outside of swimming?

Watching movies, playing pool and when it’s nice I like to go for hikes.

Favorite movie?

My top three are “Pulp Fiction,” “The Godfather” and “Inception.”

Any pets?

I have three dogs: two shih tzus, Doug and Kevin, and a golden retriever named Millie.

Do they get along?

One of the shih tzus doesn’t get along with anyone, and the other two are really friendly.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

History. Anything social studies related, like political science is cool, too.

What are your future plans?

I’ll be attending Emery University outside of Atlanta, Ga. I don’t know what I want to major in, but I want to go into law afterwards, so maybe political science. I will also swim all four years. We have a great recruiting class, and I’m really excited.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Freeport